KLDR - Local News

Multiple Agencies Battled Highly Visible Fire on London Peak near Wolf Creek

Multiple agencies battled a highly visible fire in northern Josephine County last night. On Sunday evening, Rural Metro Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Forestry were called in to assist the Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District with a fire burning on London Peak near Wolf Creek. Very little information was provided about the fire -- but in a subsequent update, Rural Metro reported the fire had been contained and was isolated to a very large slash pile. Flames from the fire could be seen by residents in the Redwood area of Grants Pass, distance of more than 20 miles.

Posted on 10/28/24 5:27AM by Sam Marsh

Applications Open for Position on GP Historical Buildings & Sites Commission

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass Historical Buildings & Sites Commission (HBSC). This position expires on December 7th, 2026. The HBSC's purpose is to review proposed alterations to any historic district or designated structure in the Grants Pass Urban Growth Boundary, to promote the community's historic preservation, to advise other interested agencies on matters related to historic preservation, and to identify areas of archeological significance and buildings of historic or archeological significance. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and City of Grants Pass residents. This position is for a representative who owns a business within the Central Business District of Grants Pass. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 6th.

Posted on 10/28/24 5:26AM by Sam Marsh

Oregon Department of Forestry Declared End to 2024 Fire Season on Sunday Morning

After 148 days, the Oregon Department of Forestry officially declared an end to the 2024 fire season in Josephine and Jackson counties on Sunday morning. Consistent rain across the ODF's Southwest District and incoming rainstorms throughout the coming week along with new green grass and vegetation growing in allowed for all fire season regulations and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels to be lifted as of 9 a.m. yesterday. The declaration affects 1.8 million acres protected by ODF across the two-county region. At this time, industrial slash burning still remains prohibited. From June 1st to October 27th, ODF firefighters responded to 243 fires across Josephine and Jackson counties totaling 5,470 acres. The majority of those acres were on the Salt Creek Fire, which reached a total of 4,102 acres. Due to a near-record breaking heatwave and thunderstorms with little to no rain in early July, the district ordered ODF Incident Management Team 1 to assume command of the fire. The strategic decision of bringing in an incident management team allowed district personnel the ability to respond to 26 other reports of fires that occurred during the two-week period the team was engaged on Salt Creek, significantly cutting down on the probability of another large fire on the district. Ten of those 26 fires were ignited by lightning and located on steep, remote terrain near the lower Rogue River in Josephine County.

Posted on 10/28/24 5:17AM by Sam Marsh

Local Residents Encouraged to Obtain Outdoor Debris Burning Permits & Follow Rules

The termination of fire season removes fire prevention regulations on equipment use and the use of fire for debris burning. This applies to the public and industrial operations on forestlands, but industrial slash burning is still prohibited. Many structural fire agencies require permits for residential debris burning. Please check with your local fire department to obtain any necessary permits before burning and ensure it's a "burn day" designated by the county you reside in. The Josephine County Burn Line is (541)-476-9663 and the Jackson County Burn Line is (541)-776-7007. Even though fire season is officially over, please continue to practice fire prevention when burning debris by ensuring a burn pile is never left unattended and using caution when using machinery that could cause a spark. While the heightened risk of fires has passed with the ending of fire season, fires can still start and spread in fall and winter conditions. ODF firefighters will continue to be available to respond to fires throughout the year. Partner with ODF and area fire agencies by following debris burning guidelines put in place by your local fire department. Fire prevention tips and information from the ODF Southwest District is available online at "swofire.com."

Posted on 10/28/24 5:14AM by Sam Marsh

RCC Blood Drives Open This Week at All Rogue Community College Campuses

Rogue Community College is partnering with the American Red Cross to host a series of blood drives across its campuses this week that are open to all members of the community. With a current blood shortage impacting hospitals nationwide, RCC is joining the effort to help replenish supplies and save lives. The RCC blood drives will take place on Tuesday in Grants Pass from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Student Center on the Redwood Campus at 3345 Redwood Highway, on Wednesday in White City from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the A Building on the Table Rock Campus at 7800 Pacific Avenue, and on Thursday in Medford from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Higher Education Center on the Riverside Campus at 101 South Bartlett Street. The American Red Cross is facing a national blood shortage, with someone in the US needing blood every two to three seconds. Donors are encouraged to schedule their appointments in advance by visiting "RedCrossBlood.org" or by calling 1-(800)-RED-CROSS. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Posted on 10/28/24 5:12AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Probation Violation after He was Found with Drugs

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for violating his probation after his corrections officer found him to be in possession of narcotics this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 25-year-old Alex Ushaiah Tallman near the corner of NW Savage Street and Conklin Avenue on Thursday evening. Police said that Tallman's corrections officer detained him after finding him to be in possession of a white powdery substance suspected to be methamphetamine. A field test confirmed the substance was meth and the suspect was arrested. Tallman was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession and the resulting Probation Violation related to a recent arrest for Menacing and Reckless Endangering of a Highway Worker. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 10/26/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man on Local Warrants during Downtown Patrol Check

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on two local warrants in the downtown area this week. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 39-year-old Matthew Richard Williams during a patrol check at the corner of NW 6th and A streets on Thursday morning. Police said they spotted Williams whom they recognized from previous criminal encounters. They said he was wanted on two Grants Pass warrants for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and two counts of Disorderly Conduct. After the warrants were confirmed, Williams was placed into custody without incident. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail where he was being held without bail.

Posted on 10/26/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh

Multi-Vehicle Crash in Downtown Cave Junction Sends One to Local Hospital

One person was injured in a multi-vehicle crash in downtown Cave Junction yesterday. On Friday at 12:28 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the four-vehicle pileup in the 200-block of North Redwood Highway. Few details were available about the accident, but IVFD officials said one person required transportation to a local medical facility. No one else was seriously hurt. Jerry's Towing responded to remove the vehicles involved in the accident while clearing the highway. The cause of the accident was being investigated by the Oregon State Police.

Posted on 10/26/24 6:07AM by Sam Marsh

ODFW Seeking Public Assistance in Finding Two Hogs in North Valley Area

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife was seeking public assistance in locating two runaway hogs in the North Valley area. The ODFW reported two large hogs were spotted around the Manzanita Rest Area off Interstate 5 on Wednesday. The state agency said it believes the animals may have escaped from a farm in the Merlin-Hugo area. According to Oregon Statutes, no one who owns or is entitled to possess a hog can let it run at large or upon the property of another person. A rancher has 72 hours to notify officials that their hogs have escaped and they must be actively trying to capture them. If the rancher fails to meet these requirements, the hogs can be legally hunted on public lands or killed by private landowners who own the land on which the hogs are trespassing. Domestic hogs running free are considered an invasive species in Oregon. They reproduce quickly and can destroy fish and wildlife habitat. Anyone who spots the runaway hogs should call Josephine County Animal Control at (541)-474-5123 or the ODFW's Central Point office at (541)-826-8774.

Posted on 10/26/24 6:05AM by Sam Marsh

GP 911 Communications Center Fielded Hundreds of EM Calls in Past Week

The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded hundreds of calls and redirected them to emergency first responders over the past week. According to the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center's weekly post on Facebook, dispatchers received a total of 1,107 emergency calls between October 17th and 23rd. The Grants Pass Police Department was once again the recipient of the bulk of those calls with 1,005 followed by American Medical Response with 278 and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue with 112. Rural Metro Fire Department received 60 9-1-1 calls while the Oregon Department of Forestry received 22, the Illinois Valley Fire District received 21, the Williams Rural Fire Protection District received 5 and the Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District got 2. Dispatchers also received a total of 524 internal calls and they made 580 outbound calls. Do you know someone with good multi-tasking skills, who is calm and cool under pressure, able to relate to people at any level and wants to make a difference? The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center wants to know them, too.

Posted on 10/26/24 6:03AM by Sam Marsh

OR Financial Help to Meet Domestic Violence Survivors' Safety Needs Rises

Domestic violence survivors are now able to receive up to $3,200 for assistance with safety-related needs including moving. Previously, financial help for domestic violence survivors was capped at $1,200 within a 90-day period. This support may be used for items such as deposits for rent or utilities; replacing items left behind such as clothing or furniture; new locks, security cameras or alarms; and a post office box. The Oregon Department of Human Services is implementing the increase this month after receiving a one-time investment from the Oregon Legislature to raise the maximum grant amount for Temporary Assistance for Domestic Violence Survivors (TA-DVS). Families and pregnant women receiving TA-DVS on or after August 11th will be given access to the increased grant amount to support their safety and stability. Individuals may apply for this support by phone, in person or by submitting an application. For more information on how to apply, got to "oregon.gov/odhs/dv." ODHS also provides confidential domestic violence advocates in most of its Self-Sufficiency programs and Child Welfare offices throughout the state.

Posted on 10/26/24 6:01AM by Sam Marsh

Child Sexual Predator Who Eluded Capture in Idaho has Ties to Southern Oregon

A fugitive with ties to the Southern Oregon region is on the run after eluding capture this week in Idaho. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports 42-year-old Christian Bert Fischer is wanted in Florida for Traveling to Meet a Minor After Use of a Computer to Lure a Child. The Hernando County Crime Stoppers of Florida is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information directly leading to the arrest of Fischer who eluded authorities in Idaho on Tuesday. Fischer is described as a white male, 5-feet-10-inches tall and 200 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He is also known to dress like a woman. Before heading to Idaho, Fischer was in the Portland area. This past summer, he was in Ashland, Wolf Creek and at Lake of the Woods. US Marshals Service (USMS) task forces throughout the country have joined the search, including the local Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force. The task force includes personnel from the US Marshals Service, Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Central Point Police Department. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Christian Fischer, contact the local US Marshals Service Office at (541)-776-4277, the USMS Communication Center at 1-(800)-336-0102 or USMS Tips at "usmarshals.gov/tips."

Posted on 10/26/24 5:58AM by Sam Marsh